Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
John 19:19
All four Gospels agree that the official charges against Jesus were his supposed claim to be "King of the Jews" – which made him a potential threat. There are many ironies here.
First, "king" is a title Jesus refused, probably because it was so open to misunderstanding.
Second, from our Christian perspective, the charge is correct. We honor "Christ the King," even through he is not the kind of King Pilate had in mind.
Third, they are executing Jesus to put an end to his supposed "kingship" and Jesus becomes a king precisely through his death and resurrection.
Fourth, two other criminals accompanied Jesus on the cross - his "royal attendants" of the king. Jesus was use to this kind of company. He came for the "lowlifes"….which is to say that he came for us sinners.
~Now that's my kind of king!
Lent is a time of conversion. From Ash Wednesday when ashes are placed on my forehead with the words, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel". It ends Easter Day when we reach into the baptismal water and renew our "YES" to Gods invitation to "come, follow me". Take a moral inventory of your life and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent. May God who begins this good work in me, sustain me along the way and bring it to completion.
Patty Coleman
